Centre Manager

WATERSIDE PARENTS' CENTRE; Gravesend; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An established charity is seeking a dedicated Centre Manager to lead their impactful services for vulnerable families. This role involves managing a small team, ensuring high-quality service delivery, and developing strategic plans to secure funding. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, a compassionate approach, and a commitment to equality and inclusion. With a supportive work environment that offers ongoing development and flexible working arrangements, this is an excellent opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the community.

Benefits

Ongoing Development and Training

Generous Annual Leave

Flexible Working Arrangements

Contributory Pension Scheme

Free On-site Parking

Qualifications

• Experience leading services in the charity or social care sector.
• Proven ability to manage diverse funding contracts.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the work of Waterside Parents’ Centre.
• Serve as Designated Safeguarding Lead and manage operations.
• Write successful bids to secure crucial funding.

Skills

Line Management

Bid-writing

Safeguarding

Team Leadership

Communication Skills

Partnership Building

Education

Qualification in Social Work

Job description

We are looking for an experienced leader with key skills in line management, bid-writing, and safeguarding, preferably with a qualification in social work.

Our ideal candidate will be emotionally resilient, compassionate, and empathetic, with a proven background in managing people and overseeing service delivery. You will be responsible for service quality, operational strategies and policies, providing high-level support to a small, dedicated team of staff and volunteers, and bid writing to secure long-term funding for the charity to continue its vital work.

The charity provides support to vulnerable parents with pre-school-aged children living in the borough of Gravesham, supporting up to 85 families at any given time. Waterside offers 1:1 support, peer group sessions, structured family sessions, access to local agency clinics, counselling services, and courses, 5 days a week, 50 weeks a year.

Reporting to the Chair of Trustees, you will work with the team, trustees, and external providers to ensure the delivery of impactful services and the cultivation of strong partnerships to respond to the local needs of our families.

The Centre Manager role will primarily require working from the centre to maintain a presence with families and staff. Occasionally, when meeting key deadlines, working from home is supported on an ad-hoc basis.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Lead, manage, and coordinate the work of Waterside Parents’ Centre to ensure smooth service operations.
2. Serve as Designated Safeguarding Lead.
3. Manage day-to-day operations, ensuring high-quality service delivery and adherence to best practices.
4. Lead and support a dedicated team, providing supervision, training, and professional development opportunities.
5. Maintain visibility and approachability to families, especially during family sessions.
6. Write successful bids to secure crucial funding and monitor and evaluate funding outcomes.
7. Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, funders, and commissioners.
8. Develop and implement strategic plans aligned with the organisation’s goals and values.
9. Manage all policies and procedures to ensure compliance with legislation and regulatory requirements.
10. Collaborate with the Finance Officer to ensure accurate financial recording and reporting.

Skills and Experience:

Desirable:

• Experience in a social work environment.

Required:

• Experience leading services in the charity or social care sector.
• A non-judgmental approach focused on acceptance and understanding.
• Proven ability to manage diverse funding contracts and reporting requirements.
• Strong team leadership with a focus on collaboration and staff development.
• Excellent communication and partnership-building skills.
• A commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

What We Offer:

Waterside is a family-centric employer providing a supportive and engaging environment. We offer ongoing development and training, a generous annual leave entitlement, flexible and hybrid working arrangements, a contributory pension scheme, and free on-site parking.

• Location: Gravesend, predominantly centre-based
• Hours: Full-time (35 hours per week)
• Contract: Fixed-term until August 2027, with funding-dependent renewal

Waterside is committed to safer recruitment, equality of opportunity, and diversity. The role is subject to DBS checks.